PRS21 - Smoking Trends in Japan From 2008-2017: Results From The National Health and Wellness Survey

Abstract

Smoking is a leading cause of death and illness according to WHO.1 The objectives of this study were to examine smoking trends and nicotine dependence among adults in Japan from 2008-2017, especially given the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics and possible new smoking legislation. This analysis utilized the Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), from 2008 (n=20,000) through 2017 (n=30,001). Respondents were age ≥ 18 years, and results were projected to reflect gender and age proportions, as determined by the U.S. Census Bureau and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Quality of life (QoL) was measured by the physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS) of the Short Form (SF-12v2 / SF-36v2)2, 3. Nicotine dependence was measured by the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence.4 Lifetime smoking prevalence among adults in Japan declined from 49.1% in 2008 to 38.9% in 2017.The same trend was observed for those currently smoking: from 25.3% (2008) to 18.1% (2017). The declining trend was consistent across genders. Smoking trends were similar to the US and prevalence steadily declined over years in Japan. In 2017, 18.1% of all adults smoked in Japan compared to 15.4% in the US, (25.6% of men and 11.2% of women in Japan compared to 17.2% of men and 13.7% of women in the US). Overall QoL showed MCS and PCS scores increased over time (though further multivariate analysis will be conducted to understand this relationship). Since 2011, high significant nicotine dependence (score of 5+) decreased among male smokers, and has increased slightly among female smokers. While smoking rates are declining in Japan, there remains a substantial rate of nicotine dependence among smokers. Continued education remains important given first and second-hand smoking health concerns and that the rate of male smokers still remains at 1 in 4.